A non governmental organization, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, said it has conducted free HIV/AIDS tests and counseling services for over 450,000 people in Kogi State in the last six years of its programme in the state.
Kogi State Coordinator of AHF Nigeria, Dr Victor Popoola, who disclosed this in Lokoja on the occasion of the organization’s 30th anniversary, said that a total of 2,000 persons living with HIV AIDS in the state have so far been linked with health facilities and placed on treatment.
According to him, AHF which was founded in the United States by Mr Michael Weinstein 30 years ago to provide free health supports and care for people living with HIV/AIDS, has so far established strong presence in six states in Nigeria namely, FCT, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, Anambara and Cross River.
He said AHF Nigeria has a national commitment to scale up access to HIV services by providing free quality antiretroviral therapy, TB/HIV co-infection management, treatment of STIs and care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS as well sensitisation campaigns on HIV/AIDS issues.
The organization at the occasion donated some consignments of sanitary pads to the State’s Ministry for Women Affairs for onward distribution to school girls and young women of menstruation age to promote hygiene amongst them.
Wife of the Kogi State Governor, Mrs Rashida Bello, who was represented at the event by her media aide, Mrs Olamide Adesoro, commended AHF Nigeria for its activities in the state especially provision healthcare supports and services for women and the girl child.
Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Saka Haruna, while appreciating the supports given to people living with HIV/AIDS in the state, assured the organization of government’s collaboration and supports to enable it touch more lives across the state.
He said that the state government accords premium to the health of the people, adding over N91 million counterpart funds have been paid for its various health programmes to ensure the people benefit maximally.
Credit: Daily Trust
